Hair we go! Close shave for Lukaku as Everton striker says goodbye to his dreads

Romelu Lukaku has decided to cut his dreadlocks and showed off the new look on Saturday evening.

Having chosen to go for a shorter style for the remainder of the season, the Everton striker looks almost unrecognisable without his trademark hairstyle.

Posting a picture of himself in a barbers chair, Lukaku said via his Instagram account: 'It was time... bye dreads,' before another image appeared on Twitter after the chop was complete.

Big change: Everton frontman Romelu Lukaku shocked fans after deciding to get rid of his dreads on Saturday

Hair today, gone tomorrow: Lukaku's dreadlocks are something of a trademark and the striker looks almost unrecognisable without them

Fans appeared to approve of the fresh cut, with over 10,000 of them liking the post.

The 20-year-old has been a huge hit on Merseyside since joining the club on loan from Chelsea on the final day of the summer transfer window and has scored 11 goals in 23 appearances for the Toffees so far this season.

Manager Roberto Martinez believes Everton need to qualify for the Champions League if they are to stand any chance fo signing the Belgian international permanently.

Main aim: Roberto Martinez insists Everton will have to qualify for the Champions League if Lukaku is to stay at Goodison Park beyond this season

Speaking on Friday, the Blues boss
said: ‘Rom is highly regarded at Chelsea, we are talking to them all the
time and we need to wait until the end of the season to see how the
experience went.

'He’s focused on one thing, which is
developing this season, being as good as he can be and trying to take
Everton into the Champions League.

‘That’s
always in his head. I’m sure as a club we have a better chance of
attracting players like Rom if we are in the Champions League than not.
In my eyes we need to get into the Champions League to attract players
like him.’

Fan favourite: Lukaku has scored 11 goals in 23 appearances for the Toffees so far this campaign

Evertonians will be hoping Lukaku doesn't suffer the same fate as Biblical figure Samson who lost all of his strength after his hair was cut!

Lukaku isn't the only Everton player who fancied a change. On Sunday, Leighton Baines, who usually sports more of a mod look, was snapped with a huge quiff as he chatted to team-mate Leon Osman during a training session.

All change: Leighton Baines was pictured with a huge quiff during an Everton training session on Sunday

Covered up: Baines seems to have been inspired by Everton team-mate Lukaku and changed his hairstyle

Both players will be able to show off their new barnets on Monday night as the Blues travel to The Hawthorns to take on West Brom.

Following Liverpool's 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa, a win would see Roberto Martinez's men jump above their Merseyside rivals and into fourth place.

Big match: Everton will move up to fourth in the Premier League table if they beat West Brom on Monday